Gage scraper for birotational tunneling machines

ABSTRACT

A tunneling machine is disclosed which includes a cutter head rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. Inside roller cutters and gage (or outside) roller cutters are mounted on the head for cutting or crushing the end face of the tunnel. Each gage cutter is provided with a novel gage scraper means for clearing materials from the path of the gage cutter whether the head is rotated in the first or in the second direction.

llnited States Patent [191 Snyder Dec. 31, 1974 4] GAGE SCRAPER FORBIROTATIONAL 3,674,314 7/1972 Scaravilli 175/313 X TUNNELING MACHINES I3,722,957 3/1973 Snyder et a1 299/86 Inventor: Larry L. Snyder,Richfield, Ohio Assignee: Jarva, 1116., Solon, Ohio Filed: Nov. 23, 1973Appl. No.: 418,688

US. Cl 299/86, 175/313, 175/336 Int. Cl. E0lg 3/04 Field of Search299/80, 86; 175/291, 313,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1969 Peterson 175/38'3 X 6/1971Coski 299/86 X Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney, Agent, orFirmMcNenny, Farrington, Pearne & Gordon [5 7 ABSTRACT A tunnelingmachine is disclosed. which'includes a cutter head rotatable in a firstdirection and in a second direction opposite the first direction. Insideroller cutters and gage (or outside) roller cutters are mounted on thehead for cutting or crushing the end face of the tunnel. Each gagecutter is provided with'a novel gage scraper means for clearingmaterials from the path of the gage cutter whether the head is rotatedin the first or in the second direction.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 0 965 MIL/EN #04 A mum/6 PAIENTEDUEBBI 43857. 610

SHEET 10F 3 PATENTED 3. 857. 610

SHEET 2 OF 3 FORCE 1/1446 FOZ l OW/A/G GAGE SCRAPER FOR BIROTATIONALTUNNELING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION known manner. The cuttersinclude inside cutters and cutters which travel about the radiallyoutermost portion of the tunnel end face adjacent the cylindrical tunnelwall, the latter of which are known as gage cutters.

In order to protect the gage cutters, it is now known that gage scrapermeans can be provided which include a blade resiliently mounted on thehead slightly in advance of each gage cutter. One such gage scrapermeans is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,674,314 granted to Joseph V.Scaravilli, and another is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,722,957 granted toLarry L. Snyder and James R. Matlack.

It is also known that in some instances it is desirable to rotatethehead of the tunneling machine first in one direction for a period oftime and then in the opposite direction for a period of time. On suchbirotational tunneling machines, gage scraper means have not heretoforebeen used in association with the gage cutters. This is because.although such gage scraper means would These and other problems anddisadvantages of prior art birotational tunneling machines are overcomeby the present invention, which provides a birotationaltunneling'machine having a novel gage scraper means for clearingmaterials from the path of the gage cutter whether the head is rotatedin the first direction or in the second direction.

The invention provides a tunneling machine which includes a cutter headrotatable in a first direction and in a second direction opposite thefirst direction. A roller cutter is mounted on the head for engaging anend face of a tunnel with rolling contact. The scraper means includes afirst novel scraper mounted on one side of the roller cutter leading theroller cutter when the head rotates in a first direction, and a secondnovel scraper mounted on the other side of the roller cutter and leadingthe roller cutterwhen the head rotates in the second direction.

Each of the first and second scrapers includes a blade for clearingmaterials from the tunnel surface when leading the roller cutter. Eachof the first and second scrapers also includes a mounting means formoving its associated blade away from the tunnel surface to preventbending or breaking and to prevent the accumulation of formationparticles between the blade and the gage cutter when the scraper followsthe roller cutter. The mounting means includes a-first assembly rigidlysecured to the head, a second assembly pivotally mounted on the firstassembly, and athird assembly which carries the blade pivotally mountedon the second assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects and advantagesof the present invention are incorporated in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tunneling machine accordingto this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the gage scrapers of the gagescraper means of the tunneling machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the three majorassemblies of the gage scraper shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view taken along reference view line 4-4 ofFIG. 2, with the blade shown in phantom in a following displacedposition;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view taken along reference view line 4-4 ofFIG. 2, with the blade shown in phantom in a leading displaced position;and

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the gage scraper shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings ingreater detail, FIG.

3 I shows a birotational tunneling machine 10 which may be of any basicconfiguration and mode of operation, such as that shown in US. Pat. No.3,383,138 to Victor J. Scaravilli et. al., the specification of which isincorporated herein by reference. The tunneling machine 10 includes acutter head 11 which is rotatable in the clockwise direction and in thecounterclockwise direction. In usage the cutter head '11 is rotated inone direction for a period of time and then is rotated in the oppositedirection.

The cutter head 11 carries a plurality of inside saddles 12, only two ofwhich are shown in FIG. 1, and each inside saddle 12 carries an insideroller cutter 13. The cutter head 11 also carries a plurality of gagesaddles 14 only one of which is shown in FIG. 1, and each gage saddle 14carries a gage roller cutter 15 which cuts the outermost portion of thetunnel end face adjacent the cylindrical tunnel wall. The inside rollercutters l3 and the gage roller cutters 15 may be of any well-known type,and the inside roller cutters 13 and gage roller cutters 15 roll aboutthe tunnel end face as the cutter head 11 rotates to cut or crush theformation which is encountered. The tunneling machine 10 as described tothis point is now well known in the prior art. According to theprinciples of the present invention, each of the gagecutters 15 isprovided with a gage scraper means 17 for clearing materials from thepath of the gage cutter 15 when the cutter head 1 1 is rotated in theclockwise direction and when thecutter head 11 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction. Each of the inside cutters I3 couldifdesired also be provided with a scraper means identical to the gagescraper means 17, but the scraper means 17 is particularly useful withthe gage cutters 15, since the gage cutters 15 may encounter formationparticles projecting from both the end face of the tunnel and from thecylindrical tunnel wall. 1 l

The gage scraper means 17 includes a first scraper l8 and a secondscraper 19. The first scraper 18 leads the roller cutter 15 when thecutter head 11 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from therear of the tunneling machine 10 facing forwardly and follows the rollercutter when the cutter head 11 rotates in the counterclockwise directionas viewed from the rear of the tunneling machine facing forwardly.Similarly, the second scraper 19 leads the roller cutter 15 when thecutter head 11 rotates in the counterclockwise direction and follows theroller cutter 15 when the cutter head 11 rotates in the clockwisedirection.

The first and second scrapers 18 and 19 are structurally mirror images.as shown in FIG. 1, and the structural details of the first scraper 18are shown in FIGS. 2 through 6 of the drawings.

As best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, the scraper 18 includes afirst assembly 23, a second assembly 24, and a third assembly 25.Although the assemblies 23, 24 and 25 are each made of several separatepieces fastened together in the presently preferred embodiment, the termassembly as used herein also includesa single piece'construction.

The first assembly 23 includes a mounting plate 26 which is welded tothe cutter head 11, a first side plate 27, and a second side plate 28.The plates 26, 27, and 28 are all welded together as shown in thedrawings. The first assembly 23 also includes a tubular pivot member 29which-is welded to" the plate 27 for pivotally securing the secondassembly 24 to the first assembly 23 in a manner described in moredetail below. The first assembly 23 also includes a tubular springretainer 30 and brackets 31 and 32, all of which are welded in place asshown.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the second assembly 24 includes a generallyfiat rectangular pivot plate 37 having tubular pivot members 38, 39 and40 welded to the ends thereof. The pivot plate 37 also includes a hole41 extending t-hroughthe pivot plate 37 and a spring retainer 42 (whichis identical to the spring retainer 30 of the first assembly 23) weldedto the bottom side of the pivot plate 37 aroundthe hole 41. The springretainer 42 cannot be seen in the perspective view of FIG. 3, but can beseen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As further shown in FIG. 3, thethird assembly 25 includes a supportplate 48 having tubular pivot members 49 and 50 welded to one endthereof and stop members 51 and 52 welded to the pivot members 49 and50, respectively. The third assembly 25 also includes a blade 53 boltedto the mounting plate 48 and having a first scraper edge 54 and a secondscraper edge 55.

Referring now to the FIGS. 2 and 3 together, it is seen that the secondassembly 24 is pivotally secured to the first assembly 23 by means ofthe pivot members 29, 38 and 39. A suitable pivot rod 56 (shown only inFIGS. 4 and 5 and preferably provided with sintered bronze bushings)extends through the pivot members 29, 38 and 39 to provide the pivotalconnection, and the pivot rod 56 is held in place by end caps 58 weldedto the outer ends of the pivot members 38 and 39. As explained in detailbelow, this first pivotal connection between the first assembly 23 andthe second assembly 24 provides a pivot means for moving the blade 53away, from the cylindrical tunnel wall and away from the tunnel end facewhen the first scraper 18 is leading the roller cutter 15 to preventdamage to the first scraper 18.

Again referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 together, it is seen that the thirdassembly 25 is pivotally secured to the second assembly 24 by the pivotmembers 40, 49, and 50. A suitable pivot rod 57 (shown only in FIGS. 4and 5 and preferably equipped with sintered bronze bushings) extendsthrough the pivot members 40, 49 and 50 to provide this pivotalconnection. End caps 58 are welded on the outer ends of the pivotmembers 49 and 50 to retain the pivot rod 57 in place. As explained ingreater detail below, this pivotal connection between the third assembly25 and the second assembly 24 providesa pivot means for moving the blade55 away from the cylindrical tunnel wall and away from the tunnel endface to prevent damage to the first scraper 18 and to preventaccumulation of formation particles between the roller 15 and the firstscraper 18 when the first scraper 18 follows the roller cutter 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that a strong compressionspring 62 extends between the first assembly 23 and the second assembly24 to resist pivotal movement therebetween. A bolt 63 extends throughthe hole 41 in the pivot plate 37 and is threadably secured to a nut 64which is welded to the bottom side of the side plate 28.The head of thebolt 63 limits the outward movement of the second assembly 24 to preventthe blade 53 from being pushed into voids in the tunnel by the spring 62when the first scraper 18 is leading the roller cutter 15. Additionally,the bolt 63 can be threaded further into the nut 64 to push the secondassembly 24 downwardly relative to the first assembly 23. This moves theblade 53 away from the cylindrical tunnel wall and away from the tunnelend face to permit changing the blade 53.

Again referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 together, it is seen that two identicalrelatively light tension springs 65 extend between the first assembly 23and the third assembly 25 to urge the stop members 51 and 52 against thebottom' surface of the plate 37. Only one of thesprings 65 can be seenin FIGS. 4 and 5, but the other spring 65 is shown in phantom in FIG. 6.The springs 65 extend between a threaded rod 66 which is threadablysecured to the bracket 32 at one end (FIG. 6) and to a nut 67 at itsother end (FIG. 6). The other ends of the springs 65 are secured tosuitable bolts 68 and 69 in the stop members 51 and 52, respectively(FIGS. 2 and 3).

Turning now to the operation of the gage scraper means 17, the operationof the first scraper 18 and of the second scraper 19 are identical, andonly the operation of the first scraper 18 (shown in the drawings intunnel end face, the position of the first scraper 18 relative to theroller cutter 15 and relative to the tunnel is shown in FIG. 6. In thisposition, the first scraper edge 54 is pushed against an end face 69 .ofthe tunnel and the second scraper edge 55 is pushed against thecylindrical wall 70 of the tunnel by the compression spring 62.

When the cutter head 11 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewedfrom the rear of the tunneling machine facing forwardly so that thefirst scraper 18 leads the roller cutter 15, the spring 62 resilientlyurges the scraper edges 54 and 5 5 of the blade 53 against theirrespective tunnel surfaces to clear materials from the path of the gagecutter 15. When the cutter head 11 is rotated in this direction so thatthe first scraper 18 leads the roller cutter 15, a drag force will beexerted by the tunnel surfaces on the blade 53 in a direction indicatedby the arrow shown in FIG. 5 and labeled force when leading. Thecompression spring 62 is arranged so that itexerts a force urging theblade 53 against the tunnel surfaces and so that a drag force in thedirection of the arrow shown in FIG. 5 when the scraper 18 is leadingthe roller cutterlS of about 100 pounds will further compress the spring62 and pivotally displace the second assembly 24 relative to the firstassembly 23 as shown in phantom in FIG. 5. In this manner, the blade 53is moved away from the cylindrical tunnel wall 70 and away from thetunnel end face 69 when a formation particle is encountered that cannotbe removed by the first scraper 18 and to prevent damage to the firstscraper 18.

This drag force exerted on the blade 53 when the first scraper 18 isleading the roller cutter cannot rotate the third assembly 25 relativeto the second assembly 24. This is because the drag force applied inthis direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 urges the stopmembers 51 and 52 against the bottom surface of the plate 37, so. thatthe stop members 51 and 52'provide a stop to prevent pivotal movement ofthe third assembly 25 relative to the second assembly 24 by a forceexerted on the blade 53 in this direction.

When the first scraper 18 is leading the roller cutter 15 in this mannerand a void is encountered in the tunnel, the compression spring 62pushes the blade 53 into the voidJHowever, the head of the bolt 63engages the top surface of the plate 37 to limit such outward movementof the blade 53 so that the blade 53 cannot extend into the voidsufficiently far to cause damage to the blade 53 when formationparticles are again encountered. In this manner, the bolt 63 provides astop to limit outward movement of the blade 53 to prevent damage to thefirst scraper 18 when voids are encountered in the tunnel surfaces.

When the cutterhead 11 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction asviewed from the rear of the tunneling machine 10 facing forwardly, thefirst scraper l8 follows the roller cutter 15. When this occurs, thecompression spring 62 still urges the blade 53 against the tunnelsurfaces and a drag force is exerted on the blade 53 in the directionindicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 labeled force when following. Thetension spring 65 is arranged so that a light drag force in thisdirection of about 15 pounds overcomes the force of the springs 65 andpivots the third assembly 25 relative to the second assembly 24 as shownin phantom in FIG. 4. In this manner, the blade 53 is moved in adirection away from the tunnel surfaces so that the first scraper 18;cannot be damaged and so that material cannot accumulate between theroller cutter 15 and the first scraper 18 when the first scraper 18 isfollowing the roller cutter 15. As the blade 53 is pivoted in the mannershown in phantom in FIG. 4 when the scraper l8 follows the roller cutter15, the compression spring 62 will also push the plate 37 upwardlyagainst the head of the bolt 63 so that the bolt 63 limits pivotalmovement of the second assembly 24 relative to the first assembly 23under these conditions.

' Because the first scraper l8 and the second scraper 19 of the scrapermeans 17 are structurally mirror images and are functionally identical,the blade of the leading one of the scrapers 13 and l) clears materialsfrom the path of the roller cutter 15 while the blade of the followingone of the scrapers l8 and 19 moves away from the tunnel surface toprevent damage to the following scraper and to prevent accumulation ofmaterials between the following scraper and the roller cutter 15. Thus,when the cutter head 11 rotates in the clockwise direction as viewedfrom the rear of the tunneling machine 10 facing forwardly, the blade ofthe first scraper 18 clears materials from the path of the roller cutter15 while theblade of the second scraper 19 is urged away from the tunnelsurfaces by a light drag force. Similarly, when the cutter head 11rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the blade of the secondscraper 19 clears material from the path of the roller cutter 15 whilethe blade of the first scraper 18 is urged away from the tunnel surfacesby a light drag force. In this manner, the gage scraper means 17 whichincludes first and second structurally mirror image and functionallyidentical scrapers l8 and 19,.overcomes the problems and disadvantagesof the prior art discussed above.

What is claimed is:

l. A tunneling machine comprising a head rotatable in a first directionand in a second direction opposite said first direction, a roller cuttermounted on said head for engaging a surface of a tunnel with rollingcontact, scraper means for clearing material from the path of saidroller cutter when said head is rotated in either one of said first andsecond directions, said scraper-means including a first scraper and asecond scraper, said first scraper being mounted on one side of saidroller cutter,

said first scraper leading said roller cutter when said head rotates insaid first direction and following said roller cutter when said headrotates in said second direction, said second scraper being mounted onthe other side of said roller cutter, said second scraper leading saidroller cutter when said head rotates in said second direction andfollowing said roller cutter when said head rotates in said firstdirection, each of said scrapers including a blade for clearingmaterials from said tunnel surface when leading said roller cutter andmounting means for mounting said blade on said head, and each of saidmounting means including means for moving its associated blade in adirection away from said tunnel surface when following said rollercutter by application of at least a first predetermined force exerted onsaid blade whereby bending and breaking of either of said first andsecond scrapers and accumulation of materials between either of saidfirst and second scrapers and said roller cutter when following saidrol- 4. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 3 wherein each of saidmeans for moving includes a pivot means and a spring.

5. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidmounting means includes a first assembly and a second assembly and athird assembly, said first assembly is rigidly secured to said head,said second assembly is pivotally mounted on said first assembly forpivotal movement relative to said first assembly, said third assembly ispivotally mounted on said second assembly for pivotal movement relativeto said second assembly, and said third assembly carries said blade.

6. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 5 wherein each of saidmounting means includes means for moving its associated blade portionaway from said tunnel surface when leading said roller cutter byapplication of at least a second predetermined force exerted on saidblade in a direction opposite said first direction, said first mentionedmeans for moving includes said pivotal mounting of said third assemblyon said second assembly, and said second mentioned means for movingincludes said pivotal mounting of said second assembly on said firstassembly.

7. A tunneling machine comprising a head rotatable in a first directionand in a second direction opposite said first direction, a roller cuttermounted on said head for engaging a surface of a tunnel with rollingcontact, a scraper leading said roller cutter when said head rotates insaid first direction and following said roller cutter when said headrotates in said second direction, said scraper including a firstassembly and a second assembly and a third assembly, said first assemblybeing rigidly mounted on said head, said third assembly including ablade for clearing materials from the path of said roller cutter whensaid head rotates in said first direction and said scraper leads saidroller cutter, first pivot means pivotally mounting said second assemblyon said first assembly, second pivot means pivotally mounting said thirdassembly on said second assembly, one of said pivot means moving saidblade in a direction away from said tunnel surface when following saidroller cutter by application of at least a first predetermined forceexerted on said blade, and the other of said pivot means moving saidblade in a direction away from said tunnel surface when leading saidroller cutter by application of at least a second predetermined forceexerted on said blade in a direction opposite said first predeterminedforce.

8. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 7 including a first springfor biasing said second assembly about said first pivot means in adirection toward said tunnel surface and a second spring for biasingsaid third assembly about said second pivot means in a direction towardsaid tunnel surface.

9. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondassembly includes a generally flat plate, said first and second pivotmeans are disposed at opposite ends of said plate, and said blade issubstantially perpendicular to said plate.

10. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said first springextends between said first assembly and said second assembly. I

11. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said second springextends between said first assembly and said third assembly.

12. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 7 including stop meanslimiting movement of said third assembly relative to said secondassembly when one of said predetermined forces is exerted on said blade.

1. A tunneling machine comprising a head rotatable in a first directionand in a second direction opposite said first direction, a roller cuttermounted on said head for engaging a surface of a tunnel with rollingcontact, scraper means for clearing material from the path of saidroller cutter when said head is rotated in either one of said first andsecond directions, said scraper means including a first scraper and asecond scraper, said first scraper being mounted on one side of saidroller cutter, said first scraper leading said roller cutter when sAidhead rotates in said first direction and following said roller cutterwhen said head rotates in said second direction, said second scraperbeing mounted on the other side of said roller cutter, said secondscraper leading said roller cutter when said head rotates in said seconddirection and following said roller cutter when said head rotates insaid first direction, each of said scrapers including a blade forclearing materials from said tunnel surface when leading said rollercutter and mounting means for mounting said blade on said head, and eachof said mounting means including means for moving its associated bladein a direction away from said tunnel surface when following said rollercutter by application of at least a first predetermined force exerted onsaid blade whereby bending and breaking of either of said first andsecond scrapers and accumulation of materials between either of saidfirst and second scrapers and said roller cutter when following saidroller cutter is avoided.
 2. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 1wherein each of said mounting means includes means for moving itsassociated blade away from said tunnel surface when leading said rollercutter by application of at least a second predetermined force exertedon said blade in a direction opposite said first predetermined force. 3.A tunneling machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said firstpredetermined force is less than said second predetermined force.
 4. Atunneling machine as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said means formoving includes a pivot means and a spring.
 5. A tunneling machine asdefined in claim 1 wherein each of said mounting means includes a firstassembly and a second assembly and a third assembly, said first assemblyis rigidly secured to said head, said second assembly is pivotallymounted on said first assembly for pivotal movement relative to saidfirst assembly, said third assembly is pivotally mounted on said secondassembly for pivotal movement relative to said second assembly, and saidthird assembly carries said blade.
 6. A tunneling machine as defined inclaim 5 wherein each of said mounting means includes means for movingits associated blade portion away from said tunnel surface when leadingsaid roller cutter by application of at least a second predeterminedforce exerted on said blade in a direction opposite said firstdirection, said first mentioned means for moving includes said pivotalmounting of said third assembly on said second assembly, and said secondmentioned means for moving includes said pivotal mounting of said secondassembly on said first assembly.
 7. A tunneling machine comprising ahead rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction oppositesaid first direction, a roller cutter mounted on said head for engaginga surface of a tunnel with rolling contact, a scraper leading saidroller cutter when said head rotates in said first direction andfollowing said roller cutter when said head rotates in said seconddirection, said scraper including a first assembly and a second assemblyand a third assembly, said first assembly being rigidly mounted on saidhead, said third assembly including a blade for clearing materials fromthe path of said roller cutter when said head rotates in said firstdirection and said scraper leads said roller cutter, first pivot meanspivotally mounting said second assembly on said first assembly, secondpivot means pivotally mounting said third assembly on said secondassembly, one of said pivot means moving said blade in a direction awayfrom said tunnel surface when following said roller cutter byapplication of at least a first predetermined force exerted on saidblade, and the other of said pivot means moving said blade in adirection away from said tunnel surface when leading said roller cutterby application of at least a second predetermined force exerted on saidblade in a direction opposite said first predetermined force.
 8. Atunneling machine as defined in claim 7 including A first spring forbiasing said second assembly about said first pivot means in a directiontoward said tunnel surface and a second spring for biasing said thirdassembly about said second pivot means in a direction toward said tunnelsurface.
 9. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 8 wherein saidsecond assembly includes a generally flat plate, said first and secondpivot means are disposed at opposite ends of said plate, and said bladeis substantially perpendicular to said plate.
 10. A tunneling machine asdefined in claim 8 wherein said first spring extends between said firstassembly and said second assembly.
 11. A tunneling machine as defined inclaim 8 wherein said second spring extends between said first assemblyand said third assembly.
 12. A tunneling machine as defined in claim 7including stop means limiting movement of said third assembly relativeto said second assembly when one of said predetermined forces is exertedon said blade.